NASA awards $88K for Cisco network refresh to Thundercat Technology, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $88,038 ($88.0K)
Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-05-13
Contract Duration: 35 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: C9300L-48P-4X-1E CISCO MMOC NETWORK REFRESH
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $88,037.76 to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: C9300L-48P-4X-1E CISCO MMOC NETWORK REFRESH Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a focused scope for network equipment. 3. The short duration of the delivery order suggests a rapid deployment or refresh cycle. 4. The primary contractor, Thundercat Technology, LLC, is a known entity in federal IT. 5. The service category 'Other Computer Related Services' is broad and requires further detail on specific deliverables. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying potential for follow-on work or broader program integration.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $88,037.76 for a network refresh appears reasonable for the specified equipment and short timeframe. Benchmarking against similar Cisco network refresh contracts of this size and scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the government has defined cost certainty, but the specific unit costs of the Cisco equipment are not detailed here. Without detailed equipment lists and quantities, a granular price assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures that multiple vendors had the opportunity to propose solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for the network equipment and services.
Public Impact
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving updated network infrastructure. The services delivered likely involve the procurement, configuration, and installation of Cisco network equipment. The geographic impact is centered in Virginia, where the agency's operations or facilities are located. The contract may have implications for IT support staff within NASA or its contractors, requiring them to integrate and manage the new equipment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed equipment specifications makes it difficult to assess if the most cost-effective Cisco models were selected.
- The exclusion of sources, even if justified, warrants understanding the rationale to ensure no potential cost savings were missed.
- The short delivery period could potentially lead to rushed implementation if not managed carefully, impacting long-term reliability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
- The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contractor, Thundercat Technology, LLC, has experience in the federal IT sector.
- The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it aligns with a broader, potentially pre-vetted, contract vehicle.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on network infrastructure and services. The market for IT hardware and services is highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering solutions. NASA's spending on IT infrastructure is substantial, supporting its complex research, development, and operational needs. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal IT spending, likely focused on a specific refresh cycle for a particular location or system.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Thundercat Technology, LLC, is likely a larger entity or a small business that won through open competition. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this delivery order, which could be a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, the initial vetting and oversight of the vehicle itself would have occurred previously. The firm-fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight, focusing on delivery and performance. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics are not detailed here.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
- Federal Network Equipment Procurement
- Cisco Hardware and Software Contracts
- IT Services for Government Agencies
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep if 'network refresh' is not clearly defined.
- Reliance on a single vendor's equipment (Cisco) may limit future flexibility.
- Short delivery window could pose logistical challenges.
Tags
nasa, information-technology, network-equipment, cisco, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, thundercat-technology-llc, virginia, computer-related-services, small-contract-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $88,037.76 to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. C9300L-48P-4X-1E CISCO MMOC NETWORK REFRESH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $88,037.76.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-13.
What specific Cisco equipment models and quantities are included in this $88,037.76 contract?
The provided data does not specify the exact Cisco equipment models or quantities included in this contract. The contract value of $88,037.76 is for a 'CISCO MMOC NETWORK REFRESH.' To assess value for money and understand the scope, a detailed breakdown of the hardware (e.g., specific switch models like C9300L-48P-4X-1E, routers, access points) and any associated software licenses or support would be necessary. This level of detail is typically found in the contract's statement of work or line item details, which are not available in the summary data.
How does the price of the Cisco equipment compare to market rates or other federal contracts?
Without the specific list of Cisco equipment models and quantities, a direct price comparison is not feasible. The total contract value of $88,037.76 represents the aggregate cost for the refresh. To benchmark, one would need to identify the individual components (e.g., C9300L-48P-4X-1E switches, associated modules) and compare their unit prices against publicly available pricing, reseller quotes, or historical federal contract data for the same or similar items. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) is broad and doesn't isolate hardware costs from potential installation or configuration services.
What is the track record of Thundercat Technology, LLC with NASA or similar federal agencies?
Thundercat Technology, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, including with NASA. The provided data indicates this is a Delivery Order (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) valued at $88,037.76, suggesting it's part of a larger contract vehicle. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar IT refresh or network infrastructure projects for NASA and other agencies. This includes reviewing past contract values, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Their presence in the federal market suggests they have met baseline performance requirements.
What are the specific performance expectations and deliverables for this network refresh?
The provided summary data indicates the contract is for a 'CISCO MMOC NETWORK REFRESH' with an award value of $88,037.76 and a delivery period ending May 13, 2026. However, the specific performance expectations and detailed deliverables are not outlined. Typically, a network refresh contract would include requirements for the procurement of specified Cisco hardware, potential installation, configuration, testing, and possibly knowledge transfer or documentation. The 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) classification suggests a scope beyond just hardware delivery. A thorough assessment would require the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with this delivery order.
What is the historical spending pattern for network refreshes at NASA, and how does this contract compare?
Historical spending data for network refreshes at NASA is not provided in the summary. To establish a pattern, one would need to analyze NASA's contract awards over several fiscal years for similar IT infrastructure upgrades, focusing on network equipment procurement and related services. This contract, valued at approximately $88,000, appears to be a relatively small-scale refresh, possibly for a specific office, facility, or system upgrade. Larger, agency-wide network modernization efforts would likely involve significantly higher dollar values and longer durations.
What does the 'Exclusion of Sources' in the contract type signify for this award?
The contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that NASA initially intended to compete the requirement broadly but subsequently excluded certain potential sources. The reasons for exclusion can vary, such as specific technical requirements, existing infrastructure compatibility, or prior performance issues with certain vendors. While competition was still sought from the remaining pool of eligible sources (resulting in 5 bids), the exclusion means that not all potential market participants were considered. Understanding the justification for this exclusion is key to ensuring fair competition and optimal value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 372220
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thundercat Technology LLC
Address: 11190 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $88,038
Exercised Options: $88,038
Current Obligation: $88,038
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC92B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-05-13
Potential End Date: 2026-05-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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